SEE What We’ve Been Up To: February 2021
It’s been a busy few months since Strides for Equality Equestrians was first launched. We’ve received an overwhelming amount of support and can’t wait to spend the year ahead working hard on diversity, equity, and inclusion within the equestrian industry.
Here’s a quick look at what we’ve been working on, and what’s to come in 2021:
Donations and Fiscal Sponsorship
We’re immensely grateful for the donor support SEE has seen since its launch in 2020. Each donor who opted for a pin received a beautiful lapel pin adorned with SEE’s logo for proud, visible allyship on display this season. We did experience some postal service delays due to the holidays, so if you did not receive your pin, please notify us.
This year, we’re shifting to send out die-cut stickers to each donor. Our lapel pins will be transitioned to use at in-person engagements (if those happen anytime soon!). Beginning this month, all donors who opt in will receive a SEE sticker.
We’re also pleased to acquire a fiscal sponsorship from the USEA Foundation, the charitable arm of the United States Eventing Association. Through this sponsorship, donations made to SEE are now tax-deductible, and we have access to additional administrative support from the USEA.
Your donations are used to support our BIPOC Professional Pathway Program, our Access Program Grants, and our ongoing business development.
BIPOC Professional Pathways
We are particularly excited about the BIPOC Professional Pathway Program we are in the process of creating. We believe that equestrian professionals should be fairly compensated and should have access to proper mentorship in whichever path they choose.
Whether an individual aspires to be a rider, a vet, a farrier, a show organizer, a photographer, or anything else in between, we aim to create a program that makes these critical professional opportunities more accessible to aspiring BIPOC professionals. SEE’s Professional Pathway Program will connect qualified applicants with appropriate professionals for internships, apprenticeships, and working student positions.
We plan to have our first round of applications for the SEE Professional Pathway Program ready to open soon.
Grant Program
This month, we’re giving out our first Access Grant to Saddle Up and Read. We have really enjoyed spending time with founder Caitlin Gooch (who, by the way, has become something of a celebrity herself! Check her out on The Kelly Clarkson Show here) and hope that our monetary donation will bring her a little closer to her goal of purchasing property on which to build a permanent home for Saddle Up and Read.
We are also in the process of formalizing our Access Grant protocol. We believe in the hard work and dedication put forth by the dozens of equestrian access programs scattered about the country, and we want to support their efforts.
Directory and Allied Barns
We are currently working on expanding our website to include an interactive directory of programs working to increase access for BIPOC young people, as well as Ally Barns who have taken a pledge to cultivate a safe, inclusive environment for BIPOC riders. This network will also include a Facebook group for volunteers interested in supporting an access program or other nonprofit. Look for more on this in Q2 of 2021.
Merchandise
We’re pleased to announce that we now have SEE merchandise available for purchase! We’ve designed an initial line of basic apparel, face masks, and tote bags for our supporters to show their allyship out in the world. We also collaborated with Dreamers & Schemers Dream & Do program, which showcases nonprofit organizations with fun socks available for purchase.
Coming this year, look for collaborations with equestrian influencers and designers for even more merchandise.
New Steering Committee Members
We are pleased to welcome Erin Tomson to our growing team of committee members. Erin will be handling our press communications going forward and will also be heading up a new video interview series coming soon.
Erin Tomson
Erin grew up riding and working on her family’s boarding farm in Washington State. She is a graduate A from Pony Club, an organization that she credits with giving her a solid foundation in riding and horse management, as well as teamwork, leadership, and the importance of giving back to one’s community. She competed successfully in eventing through the preliminary level with her OTTB, Gus, who is now retired and living a life of luxury on the family farm. She is currently bringing along her young horse, Flying B Sand Creek (Sandy), volunteering at Area VII events, and actively working to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion in her spheres of influence. In her professional role, Erin is a strategic communication professor in the Edward R. Murrow College of Communication at Washington State University. She earned a master’s degree (2006) and a Ph.D. (2010) in communication, and her teaching and research focus on crisis prevention and response planning for nonprofit organizations, professional presentation skills, and creating an inclusive learning environment for any and all types of students. Erin is honored and excited to bring her communication expertise to SEE!
Interested in Helping?
We are always looking to grow our network of volunteers. Please use this form to express interest in volunteering with SEE or a partner program in need of assistance.
